5 posts tagged “primaries 2008”
This should be handy. I can put my Klan robe in it or fill it with crackers and mayonaise.
The truth is, my family arrived in America almost 75 years after slavery was abolished. Right around the time women were "granted" the right to vote. I often wonder how the color of my skin associates me with slavery. Even families that were here when slavery was an institution had little to do with it. We never hear about the hundreds of thousands of white people who took up arms, fought the good fight, and gave their lives to abolish slavery.
But alas, it was before my family arrived from Czechoslovakia. I shouldn't be held accountable for it, should I? I would have been on the side of the abolitionists. I may have even given my life if called to battle. But many years after slavery was abolished I am still accused of being associated with it. I will admit that it wasn't that long ago. I will admit that many people still face hurdles based on race and class but I also am very tired of being compared to a slave owner simply because I have white skin. I have no more to apologize for than any black person being racially profiled as a criminal simply because the color of their skin.
My ancestry cannot be traced to slave ownership at any time in the thousand years or so we have been on this planet. When my family arrived we were herded onto Ellis Island, like many "white folk", and kept like cattle until we were released to fend for ourselves. There was huge discrimination against immigrants. This was no more the Promised Land that they heard of than it was for African Slaves who were sold into slavery by African Chiefs or rival tribes. Where is all the animosity to those Black Africans who sold their own people into slavery. Where is the animosity for what the current state of Africa is now? Currently, slavery exists very much so in Africa. Women have no rights whatsoever. Genocide, imprisonment, rape, murder? This is not the result of my ancestors either. Yet I cry injustice and contribute when I can to causes affecting Africans. Yet I am a racist?
White people are as diverse as black people. We also have "culture" believe it or not. We come from as many backgrounds and heritages as any other group of citizens yet we are homogenized and grouped into a big white ball. I am of Czech background yet I know more about Black History than Czech history. I know what it is like to be Hispanic in the United States. I know how to respect people of Muslim faith, Jewish Ancestry. I know much more about the cultures of others than I do about my own. When my family arrived destitute, my grandmother was sent back from Ellis Island because she was sick. From the boat. She was not able to make a second attempt until two years later and she died shortly after obtaining citizenship.
My mother's family trace their roots to Ireland and I can promise you they were thought of as nothing more than livestock when they arrived. They were treated less than second class, relegated to slums, and forced to work in Sweatshops until they could eak out a living and start building new lives for those of us who followed.
We have all suffered for the freedoms we enjoy. Some more than others. But we all have a history and no history is more important than that of another.
Blacks have adopted Christian Faith's because of being brought here. It was not their native religion. Many black citizens practice Religions that discriminate, based on Religious teachings, that I, a gay person am an abomination. Currently many of the laws that have been passed to legally discriminate against me have found their roots in black churches who claim fundamental law under God. They distribute petitions to force ballot initiatives to discriminate against me and my family. They turn out and vote to discriminate aginst me and to pass legislation to discriminate against me for many years to come.
Yet they can't forget what happened to their ancestors. They remember being on the recieving end but forget that they are on the giving end currently when it comes to basic human and civil rights. They mask it behind religion yet that religion is one they adopted from their slave owners.
There are as many names for whites as blacks. There are names for all people that sting when heard. It doesn't bother me less to be called whitey, faggot, or cracker than it hurts a black person to be called "n*gger", or a hispanic person to be called "sp*c" or "wetb&ck". We all suffer from ignorance but please stop hoisting it on me. I'm completely tired of it. I am fed up with it. I am tired of acceptable marginalization of people who have the same skin color as me. I have friends from all ethnic backgrounds and I assure you they have as many names for white people as whites do for others.
I am really tired of the cries of discrimination given the front runner for President of the United States is a black man. He isn't just in the race. He is leading it currently. So I am actually afraid that if he doesn't win the Republican side will end Affirmative Action and other programs because the argument will be "Look what Barack was able to achieve". I do not respect his use of race in this campaign and trying to pin it on the other side.
So when everybody from the Barack team cries foul about The Reverend Wright not speaking for Barack I want to also point out that the Klan does not speak for me. My black friends and employees could vouch for me if needed. My hispanic friends also.
I am not a cracker or a faggot. I am who I was born to be and will not apologize for something I had nothing to do with any more than Barack should have to apologize for the words of his Pastor.
To quote a famous African American "Can't we all just get along"?
Stop the race baiting Barack. Stop trying to pin racial divides on the Clintons. It is going to take a huge toll on your chances. Don't be a professional victim. None of it applies to you. Don't forget that your white mother and Grandparents raised you and guided you and got you to where you are. You are not the bi-product of slavery. Your father was African. Not African American. You did not suffer through Jim Crow. You went to Harvard and have been elected to the United States Senate and are the front runner to be our next President. But you are pissing off people with your racial tactics. They stink badly and don't apply to the priveledged life you have had.
I just got a text message from my friend Will. He is black and a Rapper,lol. He is 27 years old and wears a grille and hip hop clothes. He is the only person who has been at my house in three weeks. The text reads
"Happy Easter you certified Hustlaz".
People ask him as often as they ask me "what's up with you guys being such good friends'?
He is definately from a different background, race, sexual orientation, economic background but we have something bigger in common. We like each other. We are friends and nobody can take that from either of us. I had to laugh at the timing. Oh, and nobody else sent me an Easter greeting. I love that guy. I gave him a box of blueberry muffin mix and I want to see him bake them,lol. He invites me to his performances and if I ever have the chance to go I know he would make me feel like I was there as his guest and nobody better have anything to say about it. He might even call me onstage. Let's hope not.
From the words of my friend:
"Happy Easter you certified Hustlaz".
it will take their minds off of what is going on"....................................................................
Unlimited Access also revealed potential for blackmail on pages 102-106, when Aldrich reported that in1993 and 1994 First Lady Hillary Clinton twice decorated the White House Blue Room Christmas tree with “twelve lords a leaping ornaments—all naked with large erections, sex toys known as ‘cock rings’ or phallic objects using stylistic representations of the male penis, other condom ornaments, some still in the wrapper, some not…Two condoms 'blown' into balloons and tied to small trees...and [cocaine] crack pipes hung on a string.”
When Vice President Al Gore and his wife Tipper entered the Blue Room for the annual White House Christmas party and saw the condoms, dildo vibrators, and crack pipes hanging from the First Lady’s Christmas tree, Mrs. Gore said, “You will not desecrate Christmas and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ;” and with one punch, Tipper Gore knocked Hillary Clinton between the eyes, flat on her back to the floor, and immediately left the Christmas party with the Vice President,” according to federal whistleblower Stewart Webb who confirmed FBI agent Aldrich’s pornographic tree assertions.
While Aldrich waited before telling America about rampant Clinton White House drug use, agents working the Bush Secret Service detail have reportedly decided to bypass the congressional cover-up because Mr. Bush’s ongoing chemical abuse is affecting U.S. national security, the conduct of the Iraq War and national policy decision-making.
Yeah, that should work!
Sent to me and about 100,000 other Hillary supporters by a Pennsylvania Obama supporter. It doesn't get much better than this. Tipper must have been furious when Hillary's dildo tree and crack pipe garlands were discovered. I am glad she punched her in the face. She deserved it. I didn't see the part where they threw kittens in the fireplace or used a baby as a pinata though. If they are going to get the truth out they should really cover all of it. Obama '08. Change we can laugh about.
Comments
Tonight Soledad O'Brien mentioned on CNN that Barack would win Mississippi just as Jessie Jackson did in 1988 because of the strong black support. Huh? De ja vu?
I have never supported Geraldine Ferraro mainly because she was running with Walter Mondale and I didn't support him. Other than that race I have little to go by other than that I know she is a cancer survivor. She said something true but at a very bad time in my opinion. She said that Barack wouldn't be where he is if he was white right now. Right NOW. When the momentum of this Presidential race turned was when Bill Clinton, while having a 45 minute dialogue about historic outcomes of elections said "Jessie Jackson won South Carolina". So should Soledad O'Brien apologize the way everyone thinks Geraldine Ferraro and Bill Clinton should. Many of the states Barack has won have been with a large amount of support from black voters. Many of the news stations report on it more than any other aspect of these races. They mention it before, during, after. They take black exit polls. The tally the black votes for Barack and for Hillary and have all come to the conclusion that the black vote is going predominantly for Barack and is in fact winning him many races. So when somebody says it outloud why is everyone so disturbed by it. It's the truth. He is getting the black vote, not only because he is black but because he is black they are listening to him and then in turn voting for him. I have repeatedly said time and time again that I don't think there is anything wrong with this. Repeatedly. Why shouldn't black people be able to vote for a black person even if they have no other single reason at all. Our votes are our votes and we can use them however we wish to and for whatever reasons we find important. Many black people have told me personally that they are voting for him because he is black and it would be historic. Right NOW he is doing fairly well. In many people's eyes (not mine) he is winning the Nomination for the Democratic Party currently. To say that black voters voting for a black candidate is not true is patently not true. Black support of him along with all his other support are why he is where he is now. If he were just some other State Senator he may very well not be where he is. There are Governors, United States Senators, and other highly regarded elected officials that are not even close to where he is Now. Why is the fact that people are voting along racial lines not the racial issue but saying that it is becomes the topic of conversation? People are absolutely voting along racial lines. Jessie Jackson did win South Carolina and Mississippi and many of the other states that Barack is winning. Almost exactly the same ones if you research the 1988 Primary Election results. Like I said, I have no problem with anybody voting for anyone for whatever reason they want to but when you twist it and say that it isn't true then I take issue with that. Would he get 90% of the black vote in Mississipi if he weren't black? Would he have won South Carolina if he weren't black? Would he have won Georgia, Alabama, Louisianna? If you say yes then you are stupid or a liar. Can't people just tell the truth? Now many are outraged by Geraldine Ferraro's statement. The Pundits are outraged and between discussing it are describing what percentage of the black vote Barack won in Misssissippi and all the while saying that it was a "given" that he would win. Why is that? Perhaps history? Perhaps because the people who are voting are saying that's who they are voting for. Perhaps because black people aren't ashamed of voting for a black candidate? Her timing is bad for Hillary from the standpoint that people are "outraged" that she dared speak the truth. It will hurt Hillary and not Geraldine Ferraro so it doesn't thrill me. But it is never-the-less the truth. Black people should take much of the credit for making Barack Obama what he is today. NOW. They should take full credit because their support has made a huge difference and will potentially change the face of America forever. Why should they not be proud of their blackness and his blackness. How long have they fought just to be recognized and to be treated with any equality whatsoever? This is historic. Just because I am voting for the other candidate doesn't mean that I don't fully recognize how important this is for black America. Even if he doesn't win, the tide of change has turned the corner and black Americnas can never be relegated to second class ever again. Isn't this what we have been fighting for forever? To say it outloud is not a lie. It is not inflamatory. It is in no way offensive. It is just the truth. If he was Tad Johnson from Milford Connecticut he would not be the front runner for the Democratic nomination. The momentum would not be there. He was not the Governor of Illinois. He didn't even plan on running. He is articulate as are many young Senators but he offered something that none of them had. The ability to attract the African American vote to the Democratic Party and perhaps instill long needed changes. So when we call it a historic race is it because he won Iowa or is it because he is black and won Iowa? Bill Clinton didn't get 90% of the black vote. Barack Obama did. There is no need to be ashamed of being black. If he was not black he would not be where he is now. Maybe in 8 years. Maybe in 10. Or maybe never. Currently it does make a difference and for anyone to say it doesn't means they are just too scared to speak the truth. I'll believe it doesn't make a difference the next time there is a Primary and the black vote isn't discussed. That should be our next milestone. You know, where just the votes count. So all you "outraged" newscasters you are just even more full of shit than you already were. One of the things the Democratic Party has made clear is that they want to include people of all races. If you can get a large portion of 35 million voters it would go against the party to not look for attractive, well spoken minority candidates. I encourage them to keep doing so. It's one of the reasons I vote Democratic. I find it wonderful that black people are voting for a black candidate. That is how change really occurs. It all starts somewhere. If he is elected it will be as the first Black President. Will that not be because he is black? What will history tell us? Probably the truth. So why don't we all grow up and just be proud and happy that a huge barrier is being broken in our lifetime. If it happens for her it will be another barrier broken. The truth doesn't sound pretty sometimes but it's still the truth. Whether we want to hear it or not. Research how many second term state senators have won the election for President of any race. He has only been in the US Senate for a short time. We were already at war in Iraq for two years when he was elected. I am proud of Black America for supporting a political candidate and making him potentially the next President of the US. It is because he is balck and it should be celebrated and not minimalized. Remember, I'm voting for the lady. But I am still thrilled at what is happening because he is in the race. We will all ultimately benefit from it. One day it won't matter. Today it still does and it will until we cross the line and break the biggest barrier of all. Don't call it Historic and say that his race doesn't matter. If he wasn't black it wouldn't be historic. This time the truth didn't hurt. It actually felt pretty good. A second term would not be about race. It would be totally merit and that would mean the barrier was shattered. It would mean 35 million more Americans could successfully run for President and that just gives us all better choices. And bigger voices.
Judging from the comments the Obama supporters are leaving on TalkLeft, it appears there's a fundamental misunderstanding on what the candidates promised and didn't promise regarding the outcomes of the Florida and Michigan primaries.
Here's the four state pledge (pdf).
It says nothing about which delegates will count or not count in Florida and Michigan. It says nothing about whether a state's primary will count or not.
The candidates merely pledged not to campaign in any states holding a primary or caucus before Super Tuesday, other than Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina.
The text of the pledge is reprinted below:
Four State Pledge Letter 2008
Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina
August 31, 2007
WHEREAS, Over a year ago, the Democratic National Committee established a 2008 nominating calendar;
WHEREAS, this calendar honors the racial, ethnic, economic and geographic diversity of our party and our country;
WHEREAS, the DNC also honored the traditional role of retail politics early in the nominating process, to insure that money alone will not determine our presidential nominee;
WHEREAS, it is the desire of Presidential campaigns, the DNC, the states and the American people to bring finality, predictability and common sense to the nominating calendar.
THEREFORE, I _______________, Democratic Candidate for President, pledge I shall not campaign or participate in any state which schedules a presidential election primary or caucus before Feb. 5, 2008, except for the states of Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina, as “campaigning” is defined by rules and regulations of the DNC.
Hillary, Obama and Edwards all agreed to the pledge on September 1, 2007.
Now, can people stop saying that Hillary Clinton agreed the votes in Florida or Michigan wouldn't count or to the non-seating of the delegates? It prohibited only campaigning. Even fundraising was allowed.
The exclusion of Michigan and Florida was a penalty imposed by the DNC. In my view, it was an unfair one and should be lifted. The votes should count as is, the delegates should be awarded and seated.
Big Tent Democrat favors a re-vote of some sort. Hillary appears not to be opposed if that is the will of the party. The party appears to be leaning towards a mail-in revote. When will Obama get on board?
Here's a few questions/comments from TalkLeft:
someone told me recently that SC also changed his primary date to be earlier than usual in January.
But I cannot find the right info. nor do I know if this was so. Do you know?
If this is true (?), could you explain (if you know) what were the considerations for agreeing to SC and not FL ?
Thanks !
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[new] SC and Nevada did move up (5.00 / 1) (#28)
by litigatormom on Sun Mar 09, 2008 at 08:28:20 PM EST
and the DNC decided not to penalize them on the theory that early contests in SC and Nevada would give more African-Americans and Latinos a chance to vote in an early contest, and also begin to break the stranglehold that Iowa and NH have had over the first contests.
Of course, FLA and MI have a lot of Latinos and African-Americans too, so that can't be a complete explanation....
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[new] That's right (none / 0) (#35)
by Andy08 on Sun Mar 09, 2008 at 08:42:39 PM EST
Thanks litigatormon for confirming SC (and NV you say as well) moved up
their primary.
But as you also say, FL and MI have indeed lots of Latino & AA voters...
FL more than either SC or NV I presume (at least Latinos).
Seems very odd; what could have been the distinction then?...
Gosh .... (keep shaking my head...).
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[new] And because Harry Reid's son (none / 0) (#53)
by Cream City on Sun Mar 09, 2008 at 11:14:49 PM EST
chairs the Nevada state party, that just may have had some influence with the DNC to give it a bye, too.
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[new] I believe BTD (none / 0) (#39)
by Joan in VA on Sun Mar 09, 2008 at 08:56:21 PM EST
did a very thorough post about 5 states that were not in compliance on dates and also the rules. Maybe 3 or 4 weeks ago? Anyone else remember?
So why did you not remove your name from Florida ballots? Why does South Carolina and the other 4 states count but Florida and Michigan do not? Why did Barack campaign but claim it fell outside of the guidelines? How did Nevada get past the rules? How does pledging not to campaign mean that the election doesn't count? Why is it not clear that Hillary is way ahead with these two races being counted as they should be? How is a "caucus" or anything like it even legal? Talk about disenfranchising voters. Also, this is a DEMOCRATIC Primary for the DEMOCRATIC Candidate for President. Not the Independant Primary or the Republican crossover voter Primary. I am not either but I am a registered Democrat. She is ahead in pledged delegates, popular vote and Super Delegates just by simply allowing the will of the people and by allowing actual votes to count. In Wyoming it only takes 800 people to get a pledged delegate. In California it takes over 12,000 votes to get a pledged delegate. Who is running this clusterfuck? Howard? Donna? Remember when Donna Brazile told Al Gore he didn't need to campaign in his home state and he lost it by 3 points? Seems like a leadership problem, not a voter problem. One person, one vote! Caucus my ass!Oh, and lest we forget this pledge was authored by the "Four State" panel who want their votes to be more relevant than they actually are. None of these four states come close to representing any cross section of the American electorate. Why does any state hold more sway? The number of votes Hillary got in Florida is more than the total vote count of the entire four states that had Primaries prior to Florida. Yes we will seat those delegates. Another election will not be stolen from the American voter.
