The Inauguration

Off Topic Politics & World Issues
221

[quote]PRCalDude wrote:
Professor X wrote:
EmilyQ wrote:
I was startled by it as well, and though it was a poor choice of words. Or maybe a poor choice of topics. This was the inauguration of the president of the United States of America, not a civil rights rally.

As I said early in the thread, I was stunned to find such overt race-focus in the closing prayer. And I don’t think of myself as being particularly sensitive.

Well surprise, race is still a HUGE issue to many minorities in this country. If it comes across as “startling” that things are this way, all I can do is wonder how you were unaware of this to start with.

Whites are a minority in California. I guess it can start being a “huge issue” for us out here then. [/quote]

Maybe not. Even as a minority, if whites are still ‘overrepresented’ in income, empolyment, education, etc., racial activists and government will still be needed to equalize outcomes.

222

[quote]Sloth wrote:
Rockscar wrote:
Professor X wrote:

First off, how does that comment come across as a slap to your face and exactly what would the man have needed to say so that your little feelings don’t EVER get hurt.

PC crap.

Why does he have to pray for the day when “white embraces whats right?”

It has happened already. When will it be enough for you to stop pulling race into everything? He spoke of unity and that’s cool, but then basically says things still have not changed.

That’s a slap in the face, especially when I loath racists, and we whites have done our best by electing and embracing a black president, for the prayer to then tell me I’m still evil. WTF factor for sure.

It would have been fine if he would just not bring in race…but I guess it’s hard for him because it’s all he has known in performing his sermons in the past.

Whites, the safe target for stereotyping.
[/quote]

That’s because we are, by and large, balless. Despite endless mea culpas for slavery, Jim Crow, and colonialism (on the European side) we will continue to be blamed for the world’s evils (“white folks’ greed runs a world in need” - Jeremiah Wright) until we stop tolerating it and stop tolerating liberal self-loathing whites using the “racism!” slur to gain leverage over their conservative counterparts.

White Westerners have been responsible for all the major scientific inventions for the past 500 years that all the other races now enjoy. You’d think we’d be able to show a little pride in our culture. Instead, we’re supposed to pick between white worthlessness or white supremacy - a false dichotomy, if there ever was one.

223

[quote]Sloth wrote:
PRCalDude wrote:
Professor X wrote:
EmilyQ wrote:
I was startled by it as well, and though it was a poor choice of words. Or maybe a poor choice of topics. This was the inauguration of the president of the United States of America, not a civil rights rally.

As I said early in the thread, I was stunned to find such overt race-focus in the closing prayer. And I don’t think of myself as being particularly sensitive.

Well surprise, race is still a HUGE issue to many minorities in this country. If it comes across as “startling” that things are this way, all I can do is wonder how you were unaware of this to start with.

Whites are a minority in California. I guess it can start being a “huge issue” for us out here then.

Maybe not. Even as a minority, if whites are still ‘overrepresented’ in income, empolyment, education, etc., racial activists and government will still be needed to equalize outcomes.
[/quote]

So we’re basically Jews now. Is that it? Wow. Look at all the tolerance they’re shown, even by people they’ve tried to help:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=27378

224

[quote]Professor X wrote:
belligerent wrote:
One of my fears about an Obama presidency has been that all political debate will degenerate into a cesspool of racial shit. Obama himself has been fairly mature about handling the racial stuff, but everybody else hasn’t been. People don’t seem to be able to stop themselves from returning to race. I’ve done it, despite being aware of the need not to do it, and Professor X is doing it now… I think there is a real danger that people will make this as bad as it can possibly be.

This is truly hilarious. I’m not even the one who brought up that “poem” but I get labeled as “doing it now”?

That doesn’t even make any sense. If anyone challenges what one of you says, it means the person disagreeing is “degenerating into a cesspool of racial shit” but the people who brought it up aren’t? [/quote]

I think he was talking about injecting race into the discussion in general. And that honor goes to you and forlife.

“Yes, because the first Black president is such a minor issue that we want it to end as quickly as possible.”

Would you like to inform me of any other racist thoughts I’m having? Not every one views things in terms of skin color.

225

[quote]DoubleDuce wrote:
Professor X wrote:
belligerent wrote:
One of my fears about an Obama presidency has been that all political debate will degenerate into a cesspool of racial shit. Obama himself has been fairly mature about handling the racial stuff, but everybody else hasn’t been. People don’t seem to be able to stop themselves from returning to race. I’ve done it, despite being aware of the need not to do it, and Professor X is doing it now… I think there is a real danger that people will make this as bad as it can possibly be.

This is truly hilarious. I’m not even the one who brought up that “poem” but I get labeled as “doing it now”?

That doesn’t even make any sense. If anyone challenges what one of you says, it means the person disagreeing is “degenerating into a cesspool of racial shit” but the people who brought it up aren’t?

I think he was talking about injecting race into the discussion in general. And that honor goes to you and forlife.

“Yes, because the first Black president is such a minor issue that we want it to end as quickly as possible.”

Would you like to inform me of any other racist thoughts I’m having? Not every one views things in terms of skin color.[/quote]

The idea that I am the one who injected race into this election or even this discussion is absurd to say the least.

You won’t fault every other person who has been acting like they were singled out by a pastor reciting a poem that has been around for decades but you will call me out because I noted that the emotion for this inauguration had much to do with him being the first black president?

HOW does that make any fucking sense to you?

226

[quote]Professor X wrote:
DoubleDuce wrote:
Professor X wrote:
belligerent wrote:
One of my fears about an Obama presidency has been that all political debate will degenerate into a cesspool of racial shit. Obama himself has been fairly mature about handling the racial stuff, but everybody else hasn’t been. People don’t seem to be able to stop themselves from returning to race. I’ve done it, despite being aware of the need not to do it, and Professor X is doing it now… I think there is a real danger that people will make this as bad as it can possibly be.

This is truly hilarious. I’m not even the one who brought up that “poem” but I get labeled as “doing it now”?

That doesn’t even make any sense. If anyone challenges what one of you says, it means the person disagreeing is “degenerating into a cesspool of racial shit” but the people who brought it up aren’t?

I think he was talking about injecting race into the discussion in general. And that honor goes to you and forlife.

“Yes, because the first Black president is such a minor issue that we want it to end as quickly as possible.”

Would you like to inform me of any other racist thoughts I’m having? Not every one views things in terms of skin color.

The idea that I am the one who injected race into this election or even this discussion is absurd to say the least.

You won’t fault every other person who has been acting like they were singled out by a pastor reciting a poem that has been around for decades but you will call me out because I noted that the emotion for this inauguration had much to do with him being the first black president?

HOW does that make any fucking sense to you?[/quote]

No, you essentially said I didn’t care enough that a black man was getting elected. You 100% injected your racial feelings into my comment that had nothing to do with race. You called me out essentially as a racist for saying I wished there was something else on tv to watch. Now you get mad when someone calls out a paster who decides to make racial jokes in a prayer to God in front of the world?

I admit, I don’t think what the pastor said was appropriate, but I don’t think it’s a big deal. However, you’ve been “calling people out” over much more minuscule and ridiculous things. Pot, meet freaking kettle.

227

[quote]DoubleDuce wrote:
Professor X wrote:
DoubleDuce wrote:
Professor X wrote:
belligerent wrote:
One of my fears about an Obama presidency has been that all political debate will degenerate into a cesspool of racial shit. Obama himself has been fairly mature about handling the racial stuff, but everybody else hasn’t been. People don’t seem to be able to stop themselves from returning to race. I’ve done it, despite being aware of the need not to do it, and Professor X is doing it now… I think there is a real danger that people will make this as bad as it can possibly be.

This is truly hilarious. I’m not even the one who brought up that “poem” but I get labeled as “doing it now”?

That doesn’t even make any sense. If anyone challenges what one of you says, it means the person disagreeing is “degenerating into a cesspool of racial shit” but the people who brought it up aren’t?

I think he was talking about injecting race into the discussion in general. And that honor goes to you and forlife.

“Yes, because the first Black president is such a minor issue that we want it to end as quickly as possible.”

Would you like to inform me of any other racist thoughts I’m having? Not every one views things in terms of skin color.

The idea that I am the one who injected race into this election or even this discussion is absurd to say the least.

You won’t fault every other person who has been acting like they were singled out by a pastor reciting a poem that has been around for decades but you will call me out because I noted that the emotion for this inauguration had much to do with him being the first black president?

HOW does that make any fucking sense to you?

No, you essentially said I didn’t care enough that a black man was getting elected. You 100% injected your racial feelings into my comment that had nothing to do with race. You called me out essentially as a racist for saying I wished there was something else on tv to watch. Now you get mad when someone calls out a paster who decides to make racial jokes in a prayer to God in front of the world?

I admit, I don’t think what the pastor said was appropriate, but I don’t think it’s a big deal. However, you’ve been “calling people out” over much more minuscule and ridiculous things. Pot, meet freaking kettle.[/quote]

My comment had to do with you acting like this was not a very significant event…which anyone with any sane thoughts in their head can clearly see IS.

How is that a “racial feeling”? It’s called “the truth”.

228

[quote]Professor X wrote:

My comment had to do with you acting like this was not a very significant event…which anyone with any sane thoughts in their head can clearly see IS.

How is that a “racial feeling”? It’s called “the truth”.[/quote]

Most people I’ve talked to have thought the media orgasm was at least mildly excessive. Maybe everyone I know is insane.

Like I said, I couldn’t even listen to ESPN radio yesterday. Forgive me for wanting to hear sports talk on sports talk radio.

Not to mention the guy is now the leader of the free world and it seems to me that his policies and intention have been glossed over media’s insentient attention to color.

I honestly care 0% that a black man was elected. You care an awful lot about his skin color. I think I’m more in line with Dr. Kings beliefs.

229

[quote]DoubleDuce wrote:
Professor X wrote:

My comment had to do with you acting like this was not a very significant event…which anyone with any sane thoughts in their head can clearly see IS.

How is that a “racial feeling”? It’s called “the truth”.

Most people I’ve talked to have thought the media orgasm was at least mildly excessive. Maybe everyone I know is insane.

Like I said, I couldn’t even listen to ESPN radio yesterday. Forgive me for wanting to hear sports talk on sports talk radio.

Not to mention the guy is now the leader of the free world and it seems to me that his policies and intention have been glossed over media’s insentient attention to color.

I honestly care 0% that a black man was elected. You care an awful lot about his skin color. I think I’m more in line with Dr. Kings beliefs.[/quote]

We can all clearly see that you don’t care that a black man was elected as president. Judging by several responses from others, however, many DO understand the significance of it even if you don’t whether they agree with his policies or not. Pointing out the significance of the event is no more a “racial feeling” than if Hillary had won and we were making threads about the first woman president.

Your bias is amazingly ridiculous.

230

[quote]Professor X wrote:
On a day described by many to be “historical”, it sure is quiet around here.[/quote]

Because we don’t care about race, like you do? Because we aren’t obsessed with racism like you?

But of course, whitey is evil.

Pathetic.

231

I think it is a good thing someone not white finally got elected. I think it’s bad that it’s such a huge deal, and seemingly more important that the issues of the job.

Some people seem to think that a minority being elected is more important than what the election was for (a job not a civil rights statement).

Not to mention 110,000,000 dollars of our money being spent an balls and dinners instead of doing something good for the country with it.

But tell me then, what is an acceptable portion of my time to spend reflecting on these issues and listing to media worship in order to appease you?

232

[quote]forlife wrote:
I voted for Obama because I considered him the most capable candidate, not because of the color of his skin.

That said, you have to admit it is historically significant having a black president. There was a time in our history when a black man couldn’t even vote, let alone become the most powerful leader in the world, irrespective of his actual qualifications to lead.[/quote]

and think about it, the building he will be working out of was built for the most part by slaves,

so to have a black man Run the place that black men died at the crack of a whip to build,is kind of a big deal

233

[quote]MaddyD wrote:
forlife wrote:
I voted for Obama because I considered him the most capable candidate, not because of the color of his skin.

That said, you have to admit it is historically significant having a black president. There was a time in our history when a black man couldn’t even vote, let alone become the most powerful leader in the world, irrespective of his actual qualifications to lead.

and think about it, the building he will be working out of was built for the most part by slaves,

so to have a black man Run the place that black men died at the crack of a whip to build,is kind of a big deal[/quote]

The way I understand it theY exploited a lot of cheap white immigrant labor too. If only one day we can see a Scottish, Italian, or Irish president.

Not that I don’t understand the irony and ultimate justice of the situation, but you are being a little dramatic.

234

[quote]MaddyD wrote:

and think about it, the building he will be working out of was built for the most part by slaves,

so to have a black man Run the place that black men died at the crack of a whip to build,is kind of a big deal[/quote]

Exactly how many whips were used and how many slaves died building the White House? (I’m betting it’s closer to ‘few and none’ than ‘many and some’) Weird how the freed slaves that helped build it worked right alongside the the other slaves who were being whipped to death. If we could have afforded European labor, we would’ve gotten it, they were better anyway;

The Palace of Versailles is more than 10X the size of the White House (more if comparing property to property) and was built almost entirely by French peasants for a Frenchman. Does that not dwarf Barack’s accomplishment of ‘running the place’?

235

[quote]lucasa wrote:
MaddyD wrote:

and think about it, the building he will be working out of was built for the most part by slaves,

so to have a black man Run the place that black men died at the crack of a whip to build,is kind of a big deal

Exactly how many whips were used and how many slaves died building the White House? (I’m betting it’s closer to ‘few and none’ than ‘many and some’) Weird how the freed slaves that helped build it worked right alongside the the other slaves who were being whipped to death. If we could have afforded European labor, we would’ve gotten it, they were better anyway;

The Palace of Versailles is more than 10X the size of the White House (more if comparing property to property) and was built almost entirely by French peasants for a Frenchman. Does that not dwarf Barack’s accomplishment of ‘running the place’?[/quote]

The way we hear history these days, all American whites prior to 1865 were sitting on their porches drinking lemonade, whip in hand, while the blacks did all of the work. Everything is connected back to slavery. Post-1865, the plight of the black man in the US is the fault of whites for the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow.

We were all like the ancient Egyptians riding around in our chariots treating the blacks like the Hebrew slaves of Goshen and making their lives “bitter with hard bondage” while enjoying the fruits of their labor. We have no accomplishments of our own.

236

[quote]PRCalDude wrote:
lucasa wrote:
MaddyD wrote:

and think about it, the building he will be working out of was built for the most part by slaves,

so to have a black man Run the place that black men died at the crack of a whip to build,is kind of a big deal

Exactly how many whips were used and how many slaves died building the White House? (I’m betting it’s closer to ‘few and none’ than ‘many and some’) Weird how the freed slaves that helped build it worked right alongside the the other slaves who were being whipped to death. If we could have afforded European labor, we would’ve gotten it, they were better anyway;

The Palace of Versailles is more than 10X the size of the White House (more if comparing property to property) and was built almost entirely by French peasants for a Frenchman. Does that not dwarf Barack’s accomplishment of ‘running the place’?

The way we hear history these days, all American whites prior to 1865 were sitting on their porches drinking lemonade, whip in hand, while the blacks did all of the work. Everything is connected back to slavery. Post-1865, the plight of the black man in the US is the fault of whites for the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow.

We were all like the ancient Egyptians riding around in our chariots treating the blacks like the Hebrew slaves of Goshen and making their lives “bitter with hard bondage” while enjoying the fruits of their labor. We have no accomplishments of our own. [/quote]

When do I have to give my rice Krispy Treat reparations?

237

[quote]PRCalDude wrote:
lucasa wrote:
MaddyD wrote:

and think about it, the building he will be working out of was built for the most part by slaves,

so to have a black man Run the place that black men died at the crack of a whip to build,is kind of a big deal

Exactly how many whips were used and how many slaves died building the White House? (I’m betting it’s closer to ‘few and none’ than ‘many and some’) Weird how the freed slaves that helped build it worked right alongside the the other slaves who were being whipped to death. If we could have afforded European labor, we would’ve gotten it, they were better anyway;

The Palace of Versailles is more than 10X the size of the White House (more if comparing property to property) and was built almost entirely by French peasants for a Frenchman. Does that not dwarf Barack’s accomplishment of ‘running the place’?

The way we hear history these days, all American whites prior to 1865 were sitting on their porches drinking lemonade, whip in hand, while the blacks did all of the work. Everything is connected back to slavery. Post-1865, the plight of the black man in the US is the fault of whites for the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow.

We were all like the ancient Egyptians riding around in our chariots treating the blacks like the Hebrew slaves of Goshen and making their lives “bitter with hard bondage” while enjoying the fruits of their labor. We have no accomplishments of our own. [/quote]

I’ll have to try and find it, but not so long ago I looked over a survey of student’s top 10 historical heroes. The top figures across the board were black. Even for whites, I think the top 4 were black.

Another survey, taken after this inauguration, reported 60+% of blacks responding that MLK’s dream had been realized. While only 40 something of whites said the same. Guilt?

238

I hope that we can soon have conversations about Obama’s actions and policies with out suffering a race discussion every time. Race has zero to do with why I do not like him. It is his professed support for policies I detest and abhor. If he does not act on him, I will not dislike him.

This policy goes for most democrats, not Obama specifically. The tenets of the party, pro big government, socialistic approaches, and moral depravity when it comes to the helpless…Unless the democratic party renounces such things I will never be able to vote for them.

239

[quote]Professor X wrote:
On a day described by many to be “historical”, it sure is quiet around here.[/quote]

Why is it historical?

I don’t understand this ‘historical’ stuff they are spouting in the media.

Either it is historical because there finally is a black man who is qualified to be the president, or historical because instead of voting for someone because they are white everyone voted for someone because they were black.

Either way is bogus IMO. So historical? I think not.

The best man was elected and that is all there is to it.

240

[quote]conorh wrote:
pushharder wrote:
GDollars37 wrote:
pushharder wrote:

So having recognized the momentousness of the day as the first “black president” I agree with those who say the worship needs to end. He is not a king. Not a messiah. He is a servant, an employee, of the people as EVERY other president before him was. He is not here to “rule”. He is here to govern and to protect and uphold the Constitution.

Which brings me to my next point. I dislike the “coronation” aspect to inaugurations that I have seen in my lifetime. I’m not picking on Obama’s inauguration in particular; I’ve seen it in several previous inaugurations including both Bushs’. I think we need to return to more of a signing in of a citizen President and away from anointing a king.

Agree 100%. I missed the speech live, huge hangover, but when I flipped on the TV as Obama was leaving one of the commentators said something about the “sacred” office of the presidency. Nothing sacred about it at all, in fact it’s blasphemous to say that. The president is just a politician elected to run the executive branch of the federal government for four years. That’s it. We need to get back to thinking that way.

That “sacredness” deal can almost be perceived as scary. The executive branch has way too much power and it didn’t get it from the Constitution.

The reason I say “scary” is it hearkens me back to the “divine right of kings”. It greases the skids for people to accept a “ruler”.

I absolutely agree with you Push. That’s why I had such high hopes for Ron Paul. Say what you will about this country, I think most of us would agree our problems would be solved if we would go back to a strict interpretation of the constitution.[/quote]

I don’t think all our problems would be solved if we would go back to a strict interpretation of the constitution. But a lot of our problems would be greatly mitigated, and overall it would be a major improvement over the current situation.